Effect Of Aldose Reductase Inhibitor On Rat Kidney Aldose Reductase Gene Expression

ObjectiveDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most severe and common diabeticchronic complications. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of DN varies widely among different ethnical groups and different diabetic populations. It is well known that some diabetic patients develop severe complications early despite good control of their blood glucose levels; while others have no complications after many years of diabetes, which suggest that the genetic factor is involved in the pathogenesis of DN. Aldose reductase(AR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway, is one of the potential candidate gene. Aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) have been used in clinic treatment, but the effect of ARI on DN is different between groups. The present study is to investigate the effect of epalrestat on AR mRNA level of rat kidney and renal function.MethodsWe establish diabetic nephropathy animal model by an injection ofstreptozotocin following half kidney ligation. There are four groups including control group, model group, low dose group and high dose group. Low dose group and high dose group is given aldose reductase inhibitor epalrestat 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg respectively by intragastric administration, which last for 4 weeks. The level of AR mRNA of rat kidney is analyzed by quantitatively RT-PCR method and evaluate the effect of epalrestat on AR mRNA level between groups.